2012 WV Mission Trip

Sorry, it has taken so long for me to post about our Youth Mission Trip to W.V.  There is so much that I could write about. And I probably will. If you get bored with my post, just close out. I have to remember that when I started this blog, it was to be a Family Scrapbook of sorts. As well as a place that I can brag on my Lord & Savior. I hope that one day, when I look back, I can see in writing what God has done and shown me in my life. So if this is more than you care to read. I understand. 

Oh my goodness!! What a weekend! God is sooo good. Prayers & more were answered. Thank you for those of you that prayed for our trip. He always goes above and beyond anything we think or imagine. 

First I want to thank the Lord for the opportunity He placed before me. I had no idea what He had in store for me. It was almost more than I could handle. My cup was so full it was overflowing. I just love that about Him. 

Now, I know there are some awesome Youth Groups out there, but I am going to thank God, not just for the youth that went, but for this WHOLE TEAM!!! You may see people, young and older, but I see hearts, lives and servants with compassionate hearts. I also see my husband, Bub, and Sis!

It is unbelievable that less than 4 hours away life is so different. Its like going back 50-60 years. In 2010, this county was 28th in the lowest poverty levels in the NATION!!! Over 90% of those that live there, are on welfare. There are drugs, alcohol and more that I can't even imagine. 

Brother Harold Ward needs your prayers! He has such a vision for The King's Closet, and just as other ministries have a vision, unfortunately in ministry, there's not enough money, workers, time, etc to complete each part of the vision. Along with that, when God is at work, satan digs his heels in and suppression is all around. In Brother Harold's words, he said, "for instance, if it should take me an hour to hang a door, it will probably take me three." And we saw that first hand when we arrived. We assessed what we had to do when we got there as far as cleaning everything before we unloaded. The toilets and the showers began backing up! Septic line issues( they found the line was busted by a bulldozer)during when they were moving dirt and leveling the area last week . So of course that took priority over some of the cleaning. One of our prayers was to get us out of our comfort zone, and B said, "digging a line with sewage, was not at all in his comfort zone", and I said, "God has such a sense of humor!"

A couple children were saved, PRAISE THE LORD, and many of us were changed. WOW, our youth, what workers!! They were awesome!! God used them as only he can do. Many were broken as never before. Bub was very broken. I have never seen him like that. It's one thing when I am broken,  but it just does something to a Mom & Dad to see their children so broken. (of course tenderhearted Sis was broken before we ever left ~ she has been there twice and has such a burden for those children). I am praying that Bub doesn't lose what God gave him this weekend. This is where my cup was so full!! Serving along side two of our children, God blessed us in a way I cannot put into words! 

Several of the youth that went are the ones that we take to our Children's Camp. And God knew that 19 days after this trip, they would be heading to camp. He knows what we need right when we need it. (as I write this...its 9 days!! )

Brother Harold has such brokenness for the people there. He cannot do it alone. They are so backwards and different there, they don't quite get their need for Jesus. Its very heartbreaking to see those that don't have a clue they are in desperate need of a Savior. Harold gives and does so much for these people, because that is what God has called him to do. He would give them the shirt of his back, yet, they would steal it before they would ask for it. UNREAL. And Harold, still continues and even says, I will do it until God calls me home. (He is 69 years old and works from sun up to sun down.) 

There is so much to do for the Kingdom of God, everywhere. We all need to be broken for the lost, whether we are in WV, our churches, or even at our jobs. We live in a lost and dying world, and when we look at it, we think that its just too much, its too hard, what little I could do, won't even matter. But, what we need to realize is that we can all do something, anything, we can pray, we can share the Word, we can give, we can live our lives out loud, we must get up off the pew and do something, anything for the glory of God!!! He gave his best for us, its way past time that we gave Him our best!!! 

If I could chose one thing that stood out to me the most in this trip, it would be that I do not pray for those in ministry enough. It doesn't matter whether its Brother Harold, my pastors, children & youth workers, ministry leaders, missionaries, local outreach, etc.  I need to cry out to the Lord on their behalf! satan wants nothing more than to defeat anyone that is working for HIS Kingdom and I have failed them by not praying the fervent  prayer of a righteous man! 

Here are some pix from our weekend.... Saturday was Kid's Day! These children are so precious! Just look at their sweet faces and pray that God will become real to them. 

Love this picture of Brother Harold!! 

This young lady LOVED Mr. B!! She told him that I was too old for him!! 

And I was standing RIGHT THERE!! 

And she also told him she thought he was in his 30's. 

Baaaahaaaaaaa!! FUNNY!!!  I will never live this down! 

Our Youth Pastor and friend!

Music time with Sis!

Yumm, snack time!

Craft time! 

Youth Pastor's better half...lol!!

Thank you all for the prayers, please pray for your Brother that God will send him exactly what he needs so that he can continue to do what God has called him to do!!

Flashback Friday - 2009 WV Mission Trip

As we are leaving shortly to head to 2012 Youth Mission Trip, I was thinking back to the first time Sis went. She returned broken over the children there. She has such a sweet spirit about her and  loves loves children. I believe God worked in her heart, and gave her a faith and a love to serve Him more.

The following year was Bub's first trip there, he was only 12, and he too came back with a different spirit. We were told that he was a worker. He did anything that was asked of him. He truly has a servant's heart.

Here are a few pictures from the 2009 trip....can't seem to find any from 2010. I thank God that this time, that B & I will be there to serve along side of them. Our focus is on the children this weekend. Please pray for strength, love, boldness and hearts to follow the Lord!

Both these girls are now out of Youth, but have such a heart for WV they will both be there again!!
Such a blessing to me!

Youth girls having some fun!!

Sis & A loving on a precious little girl!

The King's Closet in 2009, since that time God has provided and there is now a sanctuary added.

The county that we are headed to in WV was  #28 in the list of the lowest poverty counties in the United States. And to think we are about 3 1/2 hours from there is unreal. 

God reminded me this morning how blessed I am. And I know that He will continue to this weekend. 

Thank you LORD!!!

Prepare My Heart

This is my prayer this week. This weekend we are going on a Youth Mission trip to West Virginia. I am so excited that I will be serving along side my husband, and my teenagers, Sis & Bub. In preparation for the trip, we have planned the weekend, made lists of what to bring or not to bring, planned menus and shopping lists and gathered donations. Sometimes I get so caught up in the details of preparing for a lesson, a retreat, camp, etc.,  that I forget that GOD has it all under control. I need not worry or fret or get uptight about any of it. So, knowing that a lot is coming up in the next few weeks (we have our kids camp in less than a month!!!) I am doing my best to give it all over to the Lord, and trying to stay focused on HIM and not the stuff.

In our pastor's message on Sunday, I was very convicted over the thought that I maybe grieving the Holy Spirit and even quenching the Holy Spirit with my busyness and my worries. It was the perfect sermon for me. If it wasn't for anyone else, it was for me!! 

I need to prepare my heart more than I need to pack my toothbrush!! This week I came back to work (from a week off) doing my best to be positive, giving things over to the Lord and focusing on Him instead of circumstances (and a full desk!). I want this weekend to be for the Lord. I want to be used by Him. I am praying that my heart will be clean before Him, so that nothing stands in the way of sharing the Love of Christ to the children and families that we will come in contact with. May we see them as God does. Please pray for our Mission Team and that each of hearts are prepared to do what God wants. May God use our youth to help change a person's life for eternity!!

Father, give me your eyes, give me your love for humanity, give me your arms for the broken hearted.  Help me to stay focused on you. Prepare hearts and minds for this weekend. Show our youth your glory! Allow them to let you work through them. May the step out of their comfort zones and do your will. Cover us with a hedge of  protection as we travel. Bring revival to this area of WV. Prepare the children's hearts to receive your love for them. I lift up Brother Harold as he does your will in JenkinJones, WV.

In Christ,

Staycation!

The past week we have been on STAYCATION......and boy has it been

HOT HOT HOT!! Temps 100+  equals most of the time we were  inside somewhere...

Every year our vacation week falls on the week of July 4th because that's when B's work shuts down. This year we didn't plan a week at the beach....  :( makes me sad....but we just couldn't swing it this year. July 4th week is the most expensive week in the year and with the past few months of vehicle issues, (one right after the other), school expenses, baseball and just the things that happen in life we didn't get to go away for vacation. 

Sooooooo, we tried to make the best of things with the heat being a tough thing. We mostly hung out at home, while that may sound boring and sad....it wasn't. We spend little time at home. We are a family on the go most of the time. It was great not to have to do anything, or be anywhere. Last Sunday ended Legion Baseball, and as much as I love watching Bub play. I was really tired of going and going, and it was SUPER HOT!!! Plus, Kea isn't really fond of spending every night at a ball park or being out in the heat! So time to do nothing was long over due. We grilled out almost every night, went swimming,  Am, M and Baby C were over a couple times. We even got to pick him up one day at school.... lol! Love time with that sweet boy!! 

We did have a couple days out of the house, braving the heat, having fun spending time together. One thing I know, I love my family and it doesn't matter where we are, I am just happy for us to be together!!

We headed to the mountains on the 4th to get away from some of the heat! Praise the Lord it was a beautiful day and it was much cooler than at home. We found out about Valle Crucis park last year and we have been several times and we just love it. Here are a few pictures......

BOY DO I NEED A HAIRCUT!!

Not sure what he is doing?? 

My "oh so cool" hubby!

Look Mom! We are twins!! 

Deep in thought.....

Daddy & his baby girl!

JUMP!!

We also spent a day at C*rowinds.... (yes it was hot, but it was still a fun day!!) This was Kea's first time and he was so excited!! He was tall enough to ride several of the big rides and he was so brave he just went on without hesitation. And I am really really bad.... once again, I didn't take pictures, I left my camera in the van. TWICE!!! Luckily, Sis had her phone and took a few. Once again I will remind you, that I am bad to have my camera and forget to take pictures anyway. I try to do better now that I blog, I just sometimes have senior moments. Lol! 

After a long hot day, we are ready to head home!

The NC/SC state line. All day he let us know which state we were in.
Glad someone was keeping up with that! HA!

My silly silly boys!!
(fyi...my sister-in-law saw this picture on my son's F*cebook page and  let us know quickly that  he had a
picture on his page with a naked woman....baahaaaa.... lol!!

Well, today is our last official day off.... and tomorrow it's back to work! At least we have jobs to go to. 

After church, B grilled some awesome lunch, and now he is napping.... or trying to at least! 

The boys & Sis were watching tv...... are they the cutest??!!

Baby C in his Wo*dy Hat!! See his stickers??

With a biggg teea!! 

He stickered himself at church!! lol!! 

I am sooooo sleepy!! 

As we head into the next week we are preparing to go on a weekend mission trip with our Youth. Please pray for us as well as those that God will allow us to come in contact with. May each one going realize what an opportunity God has placed before us. We each have the ability to change a life for eternity! May God get the Glory!!

Thank you Lord for the time with my family! Thank you for each of them. Thank you that I have a family to love and cherish. Lord thank you for blessing me!!!